Follow the Leader

Scripture Reading: Numbers 14:26-38

              Wherever you fit into the scheme or structure of God’s church you are accountable for your actions and decisions. The men who returned from spying out the land and gave an evil report were held accountable. They died by a plague from the Lord. They were held accountable for the way their influence turned the people of Israel away from entering the land.

              The people, though influenced by ten faithless leaders, were also still responsible for listening to them and following their advice. They weren’t excused because they were following the information given them by a majority of the spies. Joshua and Caleb’s minority report was before them as well.

              As Christians, we are expected to follow the leadership God appoints. But all leaders are human and therefore fallible. God never intended our obedience to absolute and unquestioning. Rebellion against God is never excused by obedience to man. We have agency. We can choose. We should follow our leaders as long and as far as they follow Christ.

              Leaders will be held to high standard accountability. But their accountability for wrongs is not our excuse for following them over the cliff.